Les Bowen

STAFF WRITER

Les Bowen has covered the Eagles since 2002. Before that, he covered the Flyers for 13 years. He came to the Daily News from the Charlotte Observer in May 1983, just as the Sixers were winning the NBA championship. He thought, "Gosh, this sort of thing must happen all the time here."

Eagles coach Andy Reid told reporters Wednesday that quarterback Michael Vick is resting at home and that his concussion headaches have subsided. Reid refused to declare Vick out for Sunday's visit with the Redskins, although Vick playing seems pretty much impossible, given the significance of the blow Vick received in last Sunday's loss to the Redskins.

Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin said he spoke with Vick Tuesday. Maclin said they didn't discuss football, just personal matters. He said Vick was able to carry on a normal conversation, wasn't "in la-la land."

Rookie Nick Foles will take the starter's reps today and probably all week. Reid said Foles will "handle it like he's going."

Reid said he does not anticipate Vick will miss the rest of the season, but until Vick undergoes testing, it's impossible to say.

Reid said his message to the team was to "just go play," have fun, don't succumb to pressure.

Maclin, who suffered a low-back strain against the Cowboys, said he will play this week. Right guard Danny Watkins is back; Reid said Dennis Kelly will alternate with tackles Demetress Bell and King Dunlap this week in practice.

Slot receiver Jason Avant (hamstring) is out for the Redskins game, as is RB Chris Polk (toe).

New guard Jake Scott said he wasn't sure how long it might take him to get up to game speed, but he said he intends to be ready to play this weekend if he's needed.

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Reid reiterated what everyone knew during the draft process - that the Eagles certainly kicked the tires on Robert Griffin III, the quarterback the Redskins ultimately traded up to draft second overall, who looks like a budding superstar. But -- though Reid didn't say this Wednesday -- the Eagles didn't have the sixth overall pick in the 2012 draft to trade, as the Redskins did, along with two other firsts and a second, to make the deal with the rebuilding Rams.

In a conference call with Philadelphia reporters, Griffin recalled that time.

“I met with the Eagles and coach Reid told me they were very interested in me. You never know what can happen, but I really enjoyed my meeting with them. Obviously, things didn’t work out," said Griffin, who of course said he is very happy in Washington.

Griffin also got to know Nick Foles at the combine.

“I was able to be in the same group, be around him at the combine. He’s a really cool guy. All the rookie quarterbacks I’ve had a chance to meet have all been good, down-to-earth people who seem like they’re pretty good leaders," Griffin said. "I don’t know what it is about this class, but every now and then you get a group of guys in the same claas – quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, whatever it is – and things just seem to click with those guys. We’re definitely, as a group, just clicking right now.”